OUR VIABILITY IS BEING THREATENED, CRIES CEC
THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) says the law which was introduced this year to declare its lines, once again, as common carrier is threatening the viability of the business.
According to the power firm, former Energy Minister, Matthew Nkhuwa issued Statutory Instrument (SI) number four of 2021 in April this year and that this legislation was compromising the company's commercial and property rights.
The Copperbelt-based company said the SI was jeopardising the vast investments made by both local and international investors in the company.
CEC Company Secretary Julia Chaila said SI 24 has the same unfavourable effect of reinstating the objectives and intentions of SI 57 of 2020 which were raised in the action before the High Court.
Mr Nkhuwa on April 1 this year, issued a new statutory instrument referred to as Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2021 (SI 24), the Electricity (Common Carrier) (Declaration) Regulations, declaring CEC’s transmission and distribution lines as common carrier.
The SI 57 of 2020 dated May 29 2020, now replaced by SI 24, was successfully challenged by CEC in a judicial review application.
This resulted in a judgement of the High Court which quashed the then minister’s decision to declare CEC’s transmission and distribution lines as common carriers.
"CEC will, therefore, continue to take all the necessary steps to find solutions, including dialogue. Achieving a mutually acceptable power supply agreement between the parties remains of strategic importance to the electricity sector and the country.
"On our part as CEC, we reiterate our total commitment to continue providing seamless power supply services to all our customers on the Copperbelt," she added.
Ms Chaila also explained that the company remained resolute and committed to ensuring that the integrity of the business was protected.w
She assured CEC stakeholders that the firm would continue to use its best endeavours to seek the most favourable outcome for the business whenever possible.